For the fourth time, NDP Justice Critic Nicole Sarauer is introducing a bill in an effort to provide supports to survivors of domestic violence and address Saskatchewan’s high rates which remain some of the worst in Canada.

“It’s disappointing that it has taken so many tries to get the Sask. Party to recognize the desperate need for change,” Sarauer said. “Too many throughout the province are suffering or in dangerous situations, and we can’t afford to not do everything we can to provide the proper supports to these individuals.”

According to a new Statistics Canada report, Saskatchewan was the only province, other than Newfoundland, that saw a decrease in the number of employees compared to this time last year.

“Earlier this month we saw 7,800 more Saskatchewan people out of work compared to the year before, and what we’re seeing today is that the trend is continuing,” said NDP Jobs Critic Vicki Mowat. “Once again every single province in Western Canada saw an increase in jobs over the last year except Saskatchewan, and it is clear that people are struggling because of the Sask. Party’s mismanagement of the economy.”

The Sask. Party has failed to deliver on their promise of proper supports for children living with autism and because of it, families are being forced to choose between providing the necessary needs for their children and day-to-day expenses.

“With the Sask. Party’s heartless cuts and tax hikes, families are finding it harder and harder to get by - especially those families who have a child with autism, who require additional care and supports,” said NDP Health Critic Danielle Chartier. “The Sask. Party broke their promise to support families living with autism, and then they chose to pile on even more costs for these families.”

Far from keeping their promise to provide increased supports for children living with autism spectrum disorder, the Sask. Party heartless cuts and broken promises have left them and their families with fewer and fewer supports and – in some cases – without access to school.

“It’s hard for parents of children living with autism to trust the Sask. Party when they say they care about early learning, because all they’ve seen are broken promises and cuts to programs designed to help their children,” said NDP Early Learning and Childcare Critic Carla Beck. “The Sask. Party needs to do what’s right and help these children get access to the education and supports they need and deserve. We need more spaces. Not fewer.”

Earlier this month, it was revealed that thousands more Saskatchewan people have been thrown out of work. Today, Statistics Canada released the latest economic indicators which, once again, show links between this rise in unemployment and the Sask. Party’s mismanagement as well as their PST hike on everything from kids’ clothes, and food and drinks to home insurance and the construction industry.

“It’s certainly concerning when we hear that 7,800 more people are unable to find work than a year ago,” said NDP Jobs Critic Vicki Mowat. “What we are seeing more and more is that job-creating industries in Saskatchewan have been hit hard by the Sask. Party’s PST hike. It’s causing job losses and explains why we are seeing more people moving to other provinces to find better opportunities than ten years ago.”